Can Danny?

Current Point Guards: Rajon Rondo, Sebastian Telfar, Gabe Pruitt.

Rajon Rondo adds good defense and is a high energy player the likes of the Celtics haven't really had at the point in some time. Gabe Pruitt could be the Erick Strickland of the current Celtics, a combo guard who can defend and knock down the three while doing a decent job of running the point. I wish Sebastian Telfair the best but he simply isn't going to get a shot here in Boston.  In order for a young point guard to get the most out of his talents, the one thing he has to have is confidence and I don't see Bassy ever regaining his confidence here in Boston.  He need to go somewhere where, for the first time in his career, he can focus on learning to play point guard as opposed to trying to live up to the expecations of being (or being traded for) a lottery pick.  In Bassy's place, the Celtics need a veteran point guard who can help restart the offense if the half-court offense breaks down.  Ideally, this point guard would also be solid defensively and could take advantage of mismatches with other point guards. 

The Main Target: Atlanta's Anthony Johnson.  It might seem odd that the best option for the Celtics comes from a team that was notorious for needing a point guard but the veteran Johnson has playoff experience, can run a team, hit the three, and defend. Johnson also has the size at 6'3 to defend shooting guards and he could open up the C's options for running smallball lineups. Johnson is signed for one more year but with Acie Law IV set to take the reins, he might not cost much to acquire.  The Hawks obtained him for just a second round pick.

Possible Additions: Ty Lue (Johnson's teammate is a great option but injuries and age are starting to wear him down); Earl Watson (Defensive minded point guard who makes too much money and turns the ball over a little too often); Brevin Knight (a solid albeit injury prone guard who has a history of time-sharing with young prospects (Andre Miller/Raymond Felton) Unlike Lue and AJ, he's a free agent); Sam Cassell (close to being washed up, he's got just enough in the tank for one more run.  He's the Clippers only PG.  We might have to take back Tim Thomas's contract to get him); Chucky Atkins (statistically a solid backup but he has more flaws than he does strengths); Rafer Alston (the Rox traded for Mike James and drafted Aaron Brooks so the overpaid, streaky shooting Alston might come cheap.  Still he's a last resort)

Longshots: Chris Duhon (an overall solid point guard, Chicago isn't likely to give him up for the little we'd be offering); Devin Harris/Jason Terry (Dallas is supposedly looking to deal one of these guards but again, the Celtics don't have much to offer); Steve Blake (solid guard looking to return to Portland for a good chunk of change); Chauncey Billups (likely to return to Detroit); Darrell Armstrong (a good PG with ties to Doc, at age 39 he's more of a third stringer than someone you want to be relying on for 20 minutes a game); Mo Williams (a good young PG who's looking for 10 million a year); Jannero Pargo (Decent defender but is a gunner and hardly a steadying force at the point); Carlos Arroyo (Looks the part but hasn't put it together. His team defense is questionable); Jarrett Jack (the Blazers are chock full of point guards and are looking to add Steve Blake back in the mix.  They dumped Zach Randolph for nothing, maybe Jack could be a bargain); Mike Bibby (a big name with a declining game and big contract); Luke Ridnour (they wanted the #11 pick for him, too high a price to pay); Mike Wilks (solid journeyman PG but more of a #3 guard); Jose Calderon (probably will cost too much to acquire)